Written answers

Wednesday, 30 April 2014

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Transport Provision

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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612. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which the Garda transport fleet has been updated on an annual basis since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19585/14]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware the provision and allocation of Garda transport is a matter for the Garda Commissioner in the context of identified operational circumstances and the availability of resources. I am advised by the Garda authorities that the number of vehicles purchased between the years 2008 to 2013 is as shown in the following table:

Garda Vehicle Allocations

201320122011201020092008
438213521650190

I am, of course, conscious of the importance of the Garda fleet and, in that regard, the Deputy will be aware that I recently secured a further €9m for investment in the fleet. This investment resulted in the purchase of 305 new Garda vehicles towards the end of 2013, at a cost of €5 million. These were in addition to the 133 new Garda vehicles which had already been procured during the year. The remaining €4 million has been made available for the purchase and fit out of Garda vehicles in 2014.

The most recent investment will bring to €18m the total amount spent on the Garda fleet for the three years 2012 to 2014. This represents a very considerable financial investment in Garda transport, particularly at a time when the level of funding available across the public sector is severely limited. It is a clear indication of my commitment to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, An Garda Síochána are provided with sufficient resources to enable them to deliver an effective and efficient policing service.

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